Lapwing.--Spring record at Rhu Stoir, two seen on April 4th. In autumn,
at Kyleakin, ninety were counted flying S.E., and crying loudly, with
N.W. wind and haze, on Aug. 15th. Eight more on 23rd, flying east, wind
S.E., and haze; and at Lamlash, a single bird rested on the Island on
Aug. 13th. At Barra Head, seventeen were seen at two p.m., light east
wind, and haze (direction of flight not given), on Sept. 21st; one
record there also in October. At Loch Ryan, a flock flying S.E., on
Nov. 15th, S.E. wind; and at Dhuheartach, where migration appeared to
cease on Dec. 29th, the last migrant seen was a Lapwing, resting on the
Lantern on that date. At Kyleakin seven were seen flying S.W. on Jan.
4th, 1884. Two species.
Scolopacidæ.--Woodcock, Snipe, Curlew, Whimbrel. No records of Woodcock
till October. Then a few at Monach Island, Dhuheartach, Lismore, and
Loch Ryan; and in November, at Kyleakin and Lismore. Single entries
on 16th at Kyleakin, and 5th at Lismore. Two killed at Monach on Oct.
29th, one killed at Dhuheartach on 31st, and three on 29th, at Lismore;
and one on 31st, at Loch Ryan, showing a general movement at these
dates.
Snipe were even scarcer; earliest Oct. 22nd, at Monach, and occurring
on the same dates as Woodcock, or nearly.
Curlew.--Numerous records at most of the stations, dating from Feb.
5th, at Rhuvaal, on to November. An appearance of a rush northwards on
May between 14th and 16th, when flocks seen flying north at Rhinns of
Islay; also on 16th, at Lismore, during the day. Records also at Loch
Ryan, Skerryvore, &c.
In autumn, at Stornoway, Monach, Barra Head, and most stations indeed;
earliest, July 25th, at Skerryvore, when five Curlews seen flying N.E.,
on to Nov. 16th, at Sound of Mull. Between Sept. 16th and 30th, at
Stornoway, seen every day on the shore, and large numbers on the 30th.
There is only one record of Whimbrel under the name "The Small Curlew,"
when two were seen at Skerryvore flying about the rocks. I wish we
could more exactly trace the lines of migration of the Whimbrel, or
"May fowl" of the Hebrides, in both spring and autumn (see remarks
of Mr. D. Gray in the Atlantic, _antea_). No records of Redshanks or
Sandpipers. Four species.
Laridæ; Sterninæ.--Arrivals in spring recorded as follows:--At Rhu
Stoir, three Terns on May 10th; light N. breeze. At Stornoway, Terns
"arrived as usual about this time," and left in August. At Skervuile,
arrived on 14th, and more seen on 16th. The first came with a fresh S.
breeze and rain. At Corsewall first observed was on May 11th.
In autumn. Terns, as already stated, left Stornoway in August, but
"about ten days later than usual." The last seen at Skervuile was on
Sept. 6th. At Sound of Mull, on Sept. 30th, a flock rested for two
hours, and then flew away S.E., composed of old and young together.
Moderate wind.
An utter absence of records of any Gulls, Skuas, "Boatswains," or any
other Laridæ. One or two species?
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